One among Russian President Vladimir Putin's high allies has stepped down from his place after publicly opposing the conflict in opposition to Ukraine.
Anatoly Chubais will now not function one of many Kremlin's particular envoys efficient instantly, an nameless supply instructed Bloomberg. The sourcesaid that the rationale for his departure is his opposition to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, though Kremlin officers have refused to publicly touch upon the matter. He's the highest-profile member official to resign within the wake of the invasion.
The supply additionally mentioned that Chubais has already fled Russia with no intention of returning. Whereas the supply didn't say the place he went, Russian newspaper Kommersant mentioned that he was final seen in Istanbul, Turkey, withdrawing cash from an ATM machine.
Whereas the reason given for his resignation was his opposition to the conflict, not everyone seems to be shopping for that narrative. A spokeswoman for Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny posted on Twitter that he "left Russia solely out of concern for his personal pores and skin and his personal cash."
Chubais has a sophisticated legacy in Russia. Whereas he has been partially accountable for the nation's elevated output of power and oil, he's additionally broadly recognized by residents as the person who helped privatize companies all through the nation. The privatizations led to the creation of oligarchs lately focused by sanctions, lots of whom, akin to Chubais, have fled Russia in what Putin calls a vital self-cleansing.
"Any individuals, and significantly the Russian individuals, will at all times be capable of inform the patriots from the scum and traitors, and spit them out like a midge that by accident flew into their mouths," Putin lately mentioned concerning high-profile flees. "I'm satisfied that this pure and vital self-cleansing of society will solely strengthen our nation, our solidarity, cohesion and readiness to fulfill any problem."
Chubais isn't the one Russian to have stepped down from a distinguished state position because of the Ukrainian invasion. Final week, Arkady Dvorkovich, a former financial adviser to former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, stepped down from his place as head of the Skolkovo know-how fund, which is funded by the Russian authorities. In an interview with Mom Jones, he publicly condemned the conflict, saying that the act of conflict is likely one of the worst potential occasions that may be skilled by somebody.
"Wars don't simply kill priceless lives," Dvorkovich mentioned. "Wars kill hopes and aspirations, freeze or destroy relationships and connections. My ideas are with Ukrainian civilians."
Newsweek reached out to the Russian International Ministry and Press Middle for remark however has not obtained responses.
Replace 3/23/22, 10:26 a.m. ET: This story has been up to date with extra info concerning the whereabouts of Anatoly Chubais, in addition to background info on Arkady Dvorkovich.
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